JERSEY’S Chief Minister has written to Canada’s new prime minister to congratulate him on becoming the 24th leader of the country and said there is “undoubtedly more” that can be done to boost trade between the jurisdictions.
Mark Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, was sworn in on Friday after winning the leadership race for the country’s Liberal Party with 85.9% of the vote.
In his letter, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham spoke about the “long-standing historical bond” between Jersey and Canada and stressed the importance of “international friendships” in times of “global turbulence”.
Mr Carney takes office as Canada faces an escalating trade war with its southern neighbour, with US tariffs – which President Donald Trump has repeatedly described as “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” – of 25% on steel and aluminium imports coming into force last week, followed in turn by retaliatory levies by Canada, including surcharges on electricity to US states.
Deputy Farnham also referred to discussions held – during Canadian High Commissioner Ralph Goodale’s visit to the Island in 2023 – which he said transformed the relationship between the jurisdictions into a “modern and flourishing partnership”.
The Chief Minister also pointed to investment links between the two jurisdictions, saying that Canadian firms like RBC and Canaccord Genuity with offices in Jersey were responsible for “significant investment flows” between the Island and Canada.
“There is undoubtedly more we can do to increase trade, investment and knowledge exchange for our mutual benefit,’ he added.
Deputy Farnham also spoke about Jersey’s participation in a multilateral free trade agreement known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership as a potential platform for further “bilateral engagement”.
He suggested Jersey and Canada could collaborate on shared priorities including climate action, gender equity and inclusion.
“Jersey and Canada have many ties – whether as members of the Commonwealth family, as part of the global Francophone or as friends and allies during some of the most difficult times in recent history – and it is more important than ever, in these times of global turbulence, that such international friendships are nurtured and protected,” wrote the Chief Minister.
Mr Carney visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at No 10 Downing Street earlier this week.
